PPBF: Willy and Hugh

Author/Illustrator: Anthony Browne
Publisher: Knopf, 1991
Age: 3-8
Themes: bullies, friendship, fears

Opening: (sorry! I returned the book and forgot to write it down!)

Summary: (from my library catalog) Willy the chimpanzee is lonely until he meets Hugh Jape in the park, and the two become friends. BUT read this much better one to know why decent recommendations matter: (From goodreads) It’s not easy being a chimp in a world of oversized gorillas, and in WILLY AND HUGH, our scrawny hero is lonely for a pal. Hulking Hugh seems an unlikely candidate, but as Willy discovers, the oddest couples can make the best of friends.

I like this book because: the awe inspiring illustration and design (I melt over Browne’s artwork!), but I love unexpected friendships, don’t-judge-a-book-by-it’s-cover surprises, and books that are easy to read visually. We often don’t talk about the levels of visual understanding for the youngest among us, but we should!

Resources/activities: Talk about what fears we have and reasons why we might have them, as well as strategies we can use to overcome as well as accept them. Yes, same tip from a few months ago with Don’t Worry, Little Crab/Chris Haughton – so read that book too!

For more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog  HERE.